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dog owners will always love to see their pets healthy, strong, and full of energy. Just like we humans, dogs needs to exercise regularly in other to build some muscles and also maintain a healthy lifestyle which help them become active. Improving your dog's muscles is very beneficial to their health and wellness, also it helps improves your dog agility, better joint health, and a lower risk of injury. We will cover the top 10 best exercises for dogs to gain muscle, in other to help your furry friend become healthy and better version of themselves.
Key benefits of muscle-building exercises for dogs:
- It's Improves physical health
- Its Enhances stamina and endurance
- It's Strengthens joints and bones
- It's Increases confidence and mental stimulation
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1. Tug-of-War
One of the easiest and best exercises for your dogs to build muscles and also stay fit unlike other dogs is tug of war. This exercise strengthens your dog's jaw muscles and also help to improves your dog's neck, shoulders, and forelimbs.
How it helps:
- It's builds the upper body and jaw strength.
- It's provides mental stimulation and engagement.
- it's encourages a natural prey drive while strengthening muscles.
Tips:
- Use a durable rope or tug toy.
- Make sure your dog is pulling hard to increase muscle engagement.
2. Swimming
Swimming is one of the best exercise for dogs that engage in almost every muscle group without stressing the dog's joints. It is very beneficial for older dogs or for dog's with joint issues since it is a low impact activity.
How it helps:
- The general body workout targeting core, legs, and back muscles.
- It's builds endurance and cardiovascular strength.
- It's ideal for dogs with arthritis or hip dysplasia.
Tips:
- make sure that you supervise your dog everytime while swimming.
- You can start with shallow water and progress gradually.
3. Weighted Vest Walks
Walking is a good exercise for dogs, but to make it more difficult, try adding a weighted vest. The weighted vest add resistance and it will also build your dog muscles faster.
How it helps:
- It's increases muscle tone in the shoulders, chest, and back.
- It's improves stamina and endurance over time.
Tips:
- Make sure you use a vest that is designed for dogs, with the weights that are appropriate for their size.
- Gradually increase the weight over time to avoid injury.
Read Also: Role of protein in puppy food
4. Fetch with Hills
Playing fetch is also popular exercise for dogs, but in other to make it one of the best exercises for dogs try adding hills to it to gain muscles. Running uphill works allows the dog's hind legs, back, and core muscles more intensely than flat-ground running.
How it helps:
- It's strengthens the rear leg muscles, hips, and lower back.
- It's increases cardio fitness and endurance.
Tips:
- Make sure you choose a grassy or soft incline so as to reduce the risk of joint strain.
- It's keeps the sessions short but intense to prevent overexertion.
5. Agility Training
Agility training is is the only way you can give your dog a full body workout. Which includes: Running through tunnels, jumping over hurdles, and weaving through poles will develop muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination.
How it helps:
- It's enhances muscle tone across the entire body.
- It's improves coordination and joint stability.
- It's Mentally stimulating and great for energy release.
Tips:
- Make sure that you start with small hurdles and low-intensity courses.
- always practice regularly to build endurance and muscle strength.
6. Flirt Pole Play
A flirt pole is a long stick with a rope and toy tied to it end, in which you swing around for your dog to chase. This high-intensity workout helps to build your dog's muscle while satisfying their prey drive.
How it helps:
- It's great for building leg muscles, especially in the hindquarters.
- It's involves the dog's core muscles and promotes quick reflexes.
Tips:
- make sure you keep changing the speed and direction of the pole to keep your dog engaged.
- always ensure that your dog gets a calm down after a period of intense sessions.
7. Weight Pulling
Weight pulling is when you attached a specific amount of weight on your dog and ask them to pull. This exercise helps them build muscles faster and it also helps them stay fit and strong unlike other dogs
How it helps:
- It's builds strength in the shoulders, back, and hind legs.
- It's increases your dog's muscle tone.
Tips:
- you can start with lightweight to avoid injury.
- make sure your dog has the correct harness to prevent strain on their body.
8. Running or Cycling
For dogs that have high energy levels, running is one of the best exercise for them to gain muscles because it requires them moving their legs both back and front which makes them stay strong and fit.
How it helps:
- It's strengthens leg and core muscles.
- It's improves cardiovascular fitness and stamina.
Tips:
- you can start with short distances, then gradually increasing the time and intensity.
- Make sure the surface is safe for running to avoid paw injury.
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9. Spring Pole Exercise
A spring pole is a type of exercise which require a rope with a spring-loaded attachment. Dogs can pull, tug, and jump to grab the rope, which creates resistance, helping them build muscles.
How it helps:
- It's strengthens your dog's jaw, neck, back, and leg muscles.
- It's also great for dogs with a strong prey drive.
Tips:
- make sure the pole is secure to avoid accidents.
-Ensure that you monitor the intensity to avoid overstraining your dog.
10. Stair Climbing
Having your dog run up and down the stairs is a powerful way to build hind leg and core strength. It’s a simple exercise but highly effective and can be done both indoors or outdoors.
How it helps:
- It's engages the hindquarters, legs, and core muscles.
- It's builds stamina and balance.
Tips:
- you can start with short sessions, if your dog is not used to climbing stairs.
- make sure the stairs are not slippery to prevent injuries.
Conclusion
Introducing your dogs to various kind of regular muscle building exercises is very crucial for their health, fitness, strength, and happiness. Whether you are participating in strong activities like e.g weight pulling or low impact exercises like e.g swimming, each one of these exercises mentioned above are good for your dogs it will help your furry friend gain muscle and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Remember to start slow, be consistent, and always remember to consult your vet before starting a new exercise routine, especially if your dog has health issues.
Adding this exercise into your dogs daily routine will not only strengthen them but also helps them become the healthiest version of themselves.
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